Rapids Class VI

Midseason Report Card

I was thinking about our season in this off week, about our new stadium. About our new studs Herculez and Ugo. About or formidable midfield with Beckerman and Pablo in the middle, with Cookie on the right feeding crosses into Casey, Peterson, and our new foreign signing, Roberto Brown.

I thought about how I was concerned with our Goal Keeping but loved the new back line with Vanney on the left and Prideaux on the right.

And then ... well, I think this commentator describes it so very well. Close your eyes, pretend he's making an analogy to this season ...

Seems about right to me.

Are you ready to jump to escape cremation??? Or are you going down with the burning airship?

Those Crazy Moldovan Hooligans

Ever wonder what soccer hooligans in Moldova are like?

Roadtrip to hell

Seems like summer will last a lifetime... but in Colorado we know that Fall comes soon, and the fall of Fake Salt Lake can't be far behind.

Sorry, that got a little twisted. What I'm trying to say is, it's hard to believe that the Class VI / Centennial Firm road trip to Salt Lake is coming up in less than two months!

Yep, time to start talking logistics and transportation and smuggling beer into a Mormon state for what we hope could be a 50-person traveling supporter team!

Gametime: Saturday, September 22nd, 7:30pm.

Check out RockyMountainCup.com for the latest standings. We're only half-way through the 2007 competition, and even though we're ahead (as always) I'm a bit worried now that we've handed over one of our most potent weapons (Colorado Becks) to the enemy. It's like the US arming the insurgents in Iraq while we're actually fighting against them. Why the fuck would Fernando do that to us? Dunno.

Anyway... more details coming soonest! Word on the street is that the Rapids are actually going to attempt to help the supporters' groups in some way. Stay tuned!

Fishwrapper time!

Quality news, before it smells

Things are afoot, dear Watson!

Indeed, Class VI invites you to enjoy the heady pleasures of the Old World on a Saturday evening.

NOnononnoooo.... not *THIS* Saturday, as our Grand Poobah may have implied, but the *NEXT* Saturday.

Something to note! There will be All-Star Game T-shirts there -- look for people selling them and get yours!!! (see the shirt design here).

Hope you like the graphic, we'll be using it frequently...

Reminder: Rapids Management does NOT run the Bulldog. They haven't hired Clavijo in the kitchen and refused to fire him. They haven't sold off "Victoria" Beckerman, our favorite bartender. And the owner isn't a billionaire that likes Country & Western. So come on down and enjoy with your fellow socca fans!

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And for those who got the email and showed up last night for this next game? Sorry.

Tuesday, 8:00pm at DSG Park, it's Chivas of Mexico vs Pachuca in a SuperLiga 2007 game (MLS vs MFL competition with a $1 Million purse for the winner).

There will be no formal tailgate for this game. So bring a friend who speaks español and crash a neighbor's tailgate! Or... just show up in the usual location with other fans of the beautiful game and have a good time.

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Tired of the ignomious play that results from Cluevijoless's leadership? Wanna show your stuff?

Our CVI soccer team still needs 3 ladies for the team! Don't be shy - kick the ball around with us. Remember: there's no way you could be as bad as the Grand Poobah.

Email team@nofanalone.com if you're interested or would like more information.

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Stoooopid, Stupid stupid Newwww England Fans.... (sung to tune of glory glory hallelujah)

For the Upcoming Game against NE on August 16th Thursday, the Boston fans are coming to town and would like to have a friendly little pick-up game with us Rapids' supporters.

After hearing about how we destroyed KC in a pre-game smackdown earlier in the season, I'm surprised they have the heart.

The MLS game kicks off at 8PM - our kick around would be before the game, of course. You'll need to sign a waiver to play in the game on one of DSG Park fields - so just let prk166@gmail.com know if you're interested.

We'll post more details on game time, field, etc. later on the blog.

Time to Cheer on ALL of MLS

We all know it's been tough cheering on the Rapids in the middle of their worst winless streak in thier un-storied history.

But that doesn't mean all of MLS is bad! I'm serious. Watch other MLS teams and you'll see some pretty entertaining games. Even KC coach Curt Onalfo gets upset by the Rapids crap play.

(ed note: Yes, he overcooks the "innocence" plea a bit much, I mean, KC was hacktastic for much of the game as well).

But forget all that. There is a wonderful new competition starting tonight - SUPERLIGA 2007! A competition between MLS and MFL (Mexican league) teams.

So you can cheer on LA, Houston, Dallas, and DC without guilt (hack, gag)! See quality teams like Chivas de Guadalajara, Pachuca, American, & Morelia get outplayed by Ching, Becks, Toja, & Christian. Revel in your MLS pride!

Maybe you'll see some spectacular passing and some world class goal scoring. The winner receives $1 Million - which really is some bank for teams in this Hemisphere. Plus they get to play for this nice piece of hardware and some bragging rights over our soccer neighbors.

Games start tonight and are on Telefutura in Español or in English on MLSLive.tv

Grab that trophy and run Frank. RUN!

Welcome to Colorado Medhi

Ladies and Gentlemen, while we're all gutted over losing Kyle Beckerman - we should make it known that it has nothing to do with Medhi.

So in honor of perhaps our best play making player, Allen has designed a new banner for NoFanAlone.com

What do you think??

6pm @ The British Bulldog

The Rapids are playing Kansas City Sunday night at 6pm. The official Class VI viewing party will be at the British Bulldog. If you haven't been to one, please join us. It's a great opportunity to meet other fans and watch the game. The Bulldog's given to Class VI & this is a chance to give a bit back.

The British Bulldog is at the corner of Broadway and Stout in Denver.

Beckham touched Colorado

I mean, he didn't touch the state with his bare feet or anything, and I think he paid other people to breathe the air, but at least he was at the stadium.

OUR STADIUM! Brrrr.... Shivvers!

Those of you who get "W" magazine as I do know just how dreamy he looks in little white underwear.

So what's that old expression? "I went to a fight and a soccer game broke out."

It was something like that last night. We went to see Beckham's arrival, and an All-Star Game broke out.

Fun game, fantasticalicious tailgating with everyone, and every detail was perfect down to the last Beckham sighting. (thanks for letting me borrow the binocs, Joe!)

Well, everything was perfect except that I found out about Beckerman's Booting an hour before the game. What a bummer.

I haven't decided whether I can blame "The Don" for that or not. Garber runs MLS, but I'm not sure he could have predicted how bad the Rapids Management team would be.

Instead, the Don was moving forward past such debacles as the on-field activities of FSL and the Rapids and focusing on the NEW! and IMPROVED! San Jose Earthquakes, just announced as our newest MLS team, joining the Western Conference in 2008!

Yes, the Earthquakes were introduced as the newest team with NO trace of sarcasm.

Refreshed and ready to watch...

Okay!!!! I'm back and ready to rock. Refreshed from a leisurely family vacation in the way-out-west wilderness of Lake Tahoe and psyched to finally know that Pablo and Beckerman are resting and we'll finally see our critical midfield back on the field together.

Phew! Good news, eh?

What's that you say? Colorado's own Becks, recently back from US National Team duty, has been traded to those bastards at Fake Salt Lake?

I assumed this was a joke at first. Seriously. I know that before going on vacation I said "I like Beckerman" but I didn't expect Clavijo to get all homophobic and trade him like that.

Sad. Absolutely pathetic. Clavijo did this to us with the Cunni trade when he first came in. Hopefully this gotcha means he's on his way out. Fernando's welcome has been officially warn out.

Poobah Resignation???

Well my fellow tailgaters and Rapids fanatics - it's come to this. The Poobah is now officially on the hot seat!!

Marcelo Balboa was good company today at the ESPN Zone. We chatted about lots of things, from my Buffalo Sandwich to his days in Leon (hey I know who those two mysterious players were at practice!).

And of course, I let him know my opinions about the Rapids and the coaching situation. Something he's heard before from me.

Last night, the Rapids Supporters were to take on the Celtic Supporters in a 4v4 30 minute game. I went out there to lend my support, and Soccer Tennis Champion Marcelo Balboa came over and offered this bit of pressure.

If the Rapids supporters lose, I'm going to be calling for the head of the Poobah! Oh my!

Guess what? We got smoked 9-3. Let me say, even though we hit the post six times, I'm not going to make excuses. It wasn't the official. It wasn't Rob Stone picking on C-Firm's John or his badgering the poor lady in the wheel chair to stand up. And it wasn't the French import Francois that Celtic brought in.

The buck stops here. It's all the damn Fullers I've been dumping down the Rapids Supporters guts before each Rapids game when they should have been training.

And if Fernando will resign - I shall happy share my resignation too!

Who is the face of the Rapids?

Well, Kyle Beckerman, perhaps the most beloved player since John Spencer, has been banished to the dark side of the Rockies where they eat children and pretend to play the beautiful game.

How could this happen?

Another decision by the "decision maker":

Oops, sometimes I get the head of our team confused with the head of our country.

What? You can't see the parallels?

• I've never met George, but I've heard when he's in the room, he's everyone's buddy.


• They both have difficulties with English at times.


• Neither know how to run a difficult battle campaign


• Both seem to find their own reality more satisfying then the reality the rest of us suffer through


• And they both recently subscribed to this crazy idea:
  When your popularity is already at an all time low, that's when you pull off such a immoral unpopular decision. Because hey, the opinion of you can't get any lower

Well, you probably heard about how "W" took care of his troubles with Scooter Libby. Experts say his approval rating was so low, this was the time to make the vastly unpopular move.

Well, the approval rating of Fernando Clavijo has got to be pretty similar to Bush's after winning 7 games in the last 30. (Visit FireClavijo.com for more impressive stats if you don't believe it.) The 20% approval he's getting comes from Plush, Wright, and Balboa, people with personal connections to his coaching tenure.

Couldn't get much worse, so now was the time to make the move of banishing the face of the Rapids.

So who is the new face of the Rapids? None other than this man:

Know it and love it, because it's here to stay.

Criticize this coach and you're out of here, KSE is fully behind their coach. Notables like Cannon, Kotschau, Cunningham, Vanney (rumored), and now Beckerman, all removed because they had problems with the coach.

Hey KSE, ever hear the saying, if you meet 10 assholes in a day, it's probably you?

Rumor of Demise

Well, the rumor mill is swirling ...

It would seem that Kyle Beckerman has been traded. From a Big Soccer poster that has proven to either be or know Kyle started the talk.

Then CVI's very own Danielle along with C-Firm head honcho Tory both confirmed that Kyle was NOT in practice today.

Word is circulating that Kyle was traded to Fake Salt Lake. And the rumored return is Ballouchy

Is this the new face of the Rapids?

Brown Released

If you haven't already heard, Panamanian striker Roberto "El Bombardo" Brown has released by the Colorado Rapids. This frees up an SI slot for Mexican forward Daniel Osorno. There is no official word from the Rapids if this is why they let Brown go. Also, there are no updates from the front office on how things are going in their quest to sign Osorno.

There is still no official word out of the front office on Daniel Wasson's status.

In case you're wondering about player moves by the Rapids before and during the 2007 season, here's a list I borrowed from Wikipedia :

Changes for the 2007 MLS Season

In
* José Cancela Traded from Toronto FC
* Conor Casey Traded from Toronto FC
* Nico Colaluca Signed as draft pick
* Omar Cummings Signed as draft pick
* John DiRaimondo Signed as draft pick
* Herculez Gomez Traded from Los Angeles
* Justin Hughes Signed as draft pick
* Ugo Ihemelu Traded from Los Angeles
* Kosuke Kimura Signed as draft pick
* Nick LaBrocca Signed as draft pick
* Brandon Prideaux Traded from D.C.
* Zach Thornton Traded from Chicago Fire
* Facundo Erpen Traded from D.C. United for Greg Vanney

Out
* Greg Vanney Traded to D.C. for Facundo Erpen
* Joe Cannon Traded to Los Angeles for Herc + Ugo.
* Matt Crawford Released by team
* Eric Denton Released by team, rights subsequently traded to New York Red Bulls.
* Hunter Freeman Traded to New York Red Bulls.
* Luchi Gonzalez Released by team, subsequently signed with Miami FC of the USL-1.
* Sasha Gotsmanov Released by team, subsequently signed with Minnesota Thunder of the USL-1.
* Matt Jordan Released by team. Joined Montreal Impact of USL-1.
* Aitor Karanka Released by team
* Aaron King Released by team. Joined Charleston Battery of USL-1
* Thiago Martins Transferred to Bodø/Glimt of the Norwegian Adeccoligaen
* Clint Mathis Traded to New York Red Bulls
* Fabrice Noël Released by team
* Alain Nkong Released by team
* Riley O'Neill Traded to Toronto FC (technically he hadn't signed with the league and the Rapids traded his rights; part of the deal for Conor Casey)
* Melvin Tarley Released by team, subsequently signed with Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL-1
* Roberto Brown Released by team

And down the stretch they come ...

Well the season is half over. The Rapids are in poor form and in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the third time in their history.

But it's not because some of the players aren't showing it on the field!

Dan Gargan with his vastly improved play - and a show of heart that you wish would resonate around the soccer world, playing the end of the game with a separated shoulder since FC had used his three subs - was the latest MOTM.

Before that, an enthusiastic & much needed injection of offense on the left side by Colin Clark made him MOTM the previous two games.

In case you're lazy and don't want to visit the MOTM page -- here's the tallies of the players and how many times they've won so far:

Bouna Coundoul - 6 times
Pablo Mastroeni - 2 times
Colin Clark - 2 times
Herculez Gomez - 1 time
Kyle Beckerman - 1 time
Jacob Peterson - 1 time
Dan Gargan - 1 time
Ugo Ihemelu - 1 time
Terry Cooke - 1 time
Conor Casey - 1 time

All Star Game ...

Looking for something to commemorate the All-Star Game at the Dick - and at the same time support the United Rapids Supporters trip to Salt Lake City to hoist the Rocky Mountain Cup?

Visit the CVI Store ... All Star Game Shirts

What's a Goal Poppa??

After the last game, my son asked me, "What's a Goal Poppa?". You see, it's been so long since we've seen the Rapids perform that elusive feat, that my youngest has forgotten.

That's a Goal Son! That's a GOAL.

Now, it's been a long while since I've truly loved any player in the World. It had been Thierry Henry, but it seems like its been a while since his magic. Roberto Carlos, Alan Shearer, Edgar Davids, Ruud Guillet ... but I think I'm falling for a new shining star - LIONEL MESSI!!!

Wingert, Wasson & Brown?

In case you haven't heard, Daniel Wasson has left the Rapids. Apparently he is interested in making more than a dev salary. Before that Chris Wingert was released by the club. Plush, Clavijo and company like to word it that Wingert wanted more money. But they wanted Wingert to deal with the reality of not knowing where his next pay check would come from. He decided to he had more self worth than that and hit the road.

And Brown? Well, maybe. The hot rumor is that Roberto "El Bombardo" Brown is about to be released to make room for Mexican forward Daniel Osorno.

US Open Cup Victory!

Our very own Dave Ferrey provides a very nice recap of the game last night:

A small but energetic crowd greeted the Rapids as they marched on the field to do battle with the California Victory in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup tonight. Taking the field for the Rapids were Zach Thornton in goal, Jordan Harvey, Ugu Ihemelu, Stephen Keel and Kosuke Kimura across the back line. Nick LaBrocca, Kyle Beckerman, Jose Cancela and Dan Wasson held down the midfield while Roberto Brown and Herc Gomez played up top.

The game flowed better then I expected as the Victory didn't try to steal a win by bunkering and countering. The Rapids alternated their game between short crisp passes, switching the field as necessary to build their attack and the more traditional approach we've come to expect, namely defenders launching hopeful long balls to out manned forwards.

The first solid attempt was a break away by Herc who shot easily past the keeper only to see the ball careen harmlessly off the left post. This was the first of to many missed opportunities. The next Rapids chance came from a free kick about 20 yards out, directly in front of the goal. A great save by the Victory keeper denied a well placed Jose Cancela shot. Consistent pressure by the Rapids was rewarded with another free kick in a similar spot, only this time Cancela bent it nicely into the inside netting past the keeper to put the Rapids ahead 1-0. Herc almost made it 2-0 about 30 seconds later when he intercepted a Victory pass and raced on goal. His hard shot, launched maybe a couple yards earlier then necessary just went wide of the post. The reminder of the first half consisted of Rapids deju vuing the past 6 games with poor passes, stagnant players and loose defending.

Fernando Clavijo passed the hearing test administered by the always helpful fans and removed Roberto Brown to start the second half in favor or Omar Cummings. Cummings spent the remainder of the game proving why he is a better alternative then Brown at forward. The Rapids took a two goal lead midway through the half when Jose Cancela sent a beautiful bending out swinging cross, right to left, into the box where a charging Gomez blasted a header past the helpless Victory keeper.

The Victory pulled within a goal when the best Victory player on the field (and maybe the best player period), Juan Epitie was allowed to move freely across the 18 and sent a low hard shot passed Thornton off the left post, then off a prone Thornton and finally slowly rolling over the line.

The Rapids sealed the win with a Sports Center highlight goal. Herc controlled the ball just inside the 18, drawing two defenders. Omar Cummings, who the entire 2nd half put on a clinic on how to make off the ball runs, moved into the free space left by the 2nd defender. Herc, recognized it and scooped a high pass over the defenders to a wide open Cummings. Cummings chest trapped the ball and volleyed it as it dropped below his waist past the keeper.

Gomez was was named man of the match as he worked tirelessly off the ball, possessed the ball well and out raced defenders creating numerous chances throughout the night. Many others also had very good games including LaBrocca, Cancela and Cummings. Defensively Keel, Kimura, Harvey and Ugo also played very solid.

Other second half subs for the rapids tonight were Jovan Kirovski for Cancela, Nico Colaluca for Kyle and Niko Hernandez for a limping LaBrocca.

CVI at the Chalk Talk

CVI's own Brian Hibbard was at the Chalk Talk and has this to say (thanks Brian!)

He started by looking at what players the opposing team was fielding. He then put his players in position to cover those players. He had Ugo and Erpen in the middle of field covering Angel. Angel was Ugo's primary assignment leaving Erpen to clean up. He had Kyle in the defensive mid to cover Mathis and help out with Angel if needed. That was his reasoning for those players and positions. He didn't say much about Gargan or Prideux except that they free to help out in the middle if thats where the play is.

He moved up to midfield placing Cooke, Jovan and Clark across the midfield. He mentioned that he likes how Clark has been playing and has really been impressed with him. He also brought up the fact that Colin is young and still needs finish better but that comes with experience. He talked about Cooke and how Cooke likes to play. "He isn't the fastest person on field and he isn't equipped to run to the ball when played ahead of him. Cooke is more effective when he receives the ball around the midfield and can carry the ball and cross it rather than running it down."

He moved on to the forwards and had Jacob up top. He was debating on whether he would start Niko or Gomez next to Jacob because he was uncertain on Gomez's fitness from coming back from Copa. He broke the field up into 3 lengthwise sections and talked player movements in those sections and more unimpressive strategy talk.

After the strategy talk, he then started what seemed to be a plea for his job. He repeated his passion for winning and that he his honest and believes in the team and isn't giving up. He gives straight answers and believes in straight talk. He also said he doesn't read BigSoccer because nobody puts a picture of themselves up and he doesn't believe in hiding behind a screen name. He prefers face to face interaction.

He said that he is willing to take risks. He brought up the '05 playoff game when he had 10 men on and we were down a goal. He took off a defense player and put in a forward and we ended up winning the game. He said its all about strategy and that he is willing to do what it takes to win. (Something to that effect)

After his plea he opened it up to questions. Someone asked about how Cummings fits into his game plan. He said that he liked Cummings and believes he will be a star. (If he really believes this, why not let him play?)

Someone asked about the lack of goals and how the team is practicing to overcome this. He said it seems to be a league wide problem. You cannot create the same atmosphere of fans screaming, guys running at you, players jumping in front of you and the mental atmosphere of trying to score goals in a game situation.

Other questions were asked and he gave the typical coaching answers. It was nothing of great consequence. There was one about a DP. Jeff jumped in and confirmed the details about Borgetti.

Someone asked about the 28th roster spot with the departure of Wingert. He wasn't exactly clear on why Wingert left, but it did sound like Wingert wanted money and Clavijo wasn't going to give him. It seems like it was a mutual decision to leave. Jeff then speculated on they are working on bringing someone in. (Speculation is Osornio)

He talked about Niko at one point and brought up the fact that last year he had 8 goals and a pretty good year. He asked if "Has Niko suddenly forgot how to play?" He said no, he's having a bad run right now and taking him out would hurt him more than help him.

I asked him why play people out of their natural position when he has capable players to play in those positions. My question was aimed at why he plays Jovan in the midfield when he is natural forward. I brought up the fact that Jovan makes runs and takes shots better (like a forward) than his possession and ball distribution (like a midfielder). He basically gave me the answer of players are hurt and he doesn't have the squad that he wants. (This doesn't explain why he won't play Wasson or Cancela. I think he believes they may not be able to handle Angel, Mathis or Reyna because of their youth.)

The most interesting question came toward the end. Someone asked him if everyone was healthy who would he bench and what squad would he field. He never really answered that question and danced around it.

When he was walking out and I ask him what do you do to inspire the players in these down times. He said that you ask them not to give up. Show them stats that they are coming close and you try to build up confidence in them. He said that even though we are in a down time, he said what really matters is how you play at the end of the season. He mentioned if you look at all of 1st and 2nd place teams during the year from last season, all of them were out of playoffs in the first round. It was the teams that played well at the end of the season that succeeded. He said, "it's not a sprint but a marathon." (I wanted to respond with the fact that we won't make the playoffs if the season ended today so how exactly would we win this marathon. But, he was whisked away to do the pre game interview)

Jeff Plush stayed after and answered questions. Someone asked him how important the supporters groups are. He said they are vital to the success of the club.

I asked him if they are going to change to the Arsenal. He said no. He did confirm that they thought about it, but they changed their mind and ultimately did not change it. He said that partnership will bring some good things to the club.

I asked him point blank why Jovan is still on the field. I said he (Jovan) is called the human cone and the Oxygen thief. Jeff laughed under his breath at this. I told him if you look at his balls won vs. balls lost and his passing it is horrific. I said, most of the fans see this, why does Fernando play him? His response was that he can't answer for Fernando, but what he is probably thinking is that Jovan is a veteran and he knows that when he puts his name down on the roster, FC knows what he will get out Jovan. I told him to pay attention to Jovan and how bad he plays and maybe he will see it to. (Of course Jovan comes out and has a decent game)

**My opinion of this whole situation**
Going into the chalk talk, I was of the opinion that Fernando needs to go. I think that he making decisions to keep non productive players on the field while young, up and coming talents are reserved to sit and play reserve matches. I question his substitution decisions when he pulls off productive guys and puts in non productive players. I don't think he identifies when the opposing team has a bunch of slow defensemen, he should be putting speed on the field to run laps around them rather than slow "target" forwards.

I went to the chalk talk to see if my opinion was valid. Does he see that his players aren't producing? Is he willing to change something to make it happen? Has he given up? What is his game plan? How does he approach opposing teams?

I got those answers and then some. I did see that he does approach the game reacting to the players on the opposing team. He is a very nice and straight forward person. He has a lot of passion for this team and the game. He wants to win just as bad as we do.

However, he identifies that his players aren't producing. But rather than bringing in players who can produce, he sticks with the non producing players. This is the nice guy in him. He is giving them chance after chance. He is not willing to make the necessary changes.

This is why I am still in the fire Clavijo camp. He is not willing to take off non productive players and give his youth a chance. If he does give them a chance, he only gives them one game to produce. That is hard for any player coming off of the bench.

He approaches games defensively rather than offensively. The majority of his strategy was about how we are going to deal with Angel and Mathis and the attack of the Red Bulls. It wasn't about how we are going to create scoring opportunities or offense.

He is a reactive person rather than a proactive person. You need to be proactive in order to succeed in this game.

I would like the next coach to be a forward thinker rather than a defensive one. Clavijo would be a good defensemen coach & he is good at seeing young talent. He is terrible at believing in old talent and thinking that they will improve. Once you are over the hill or have fallen down from your peak. It is next to impossible to get back up it and you have to be someone really special to make it happen (Mario Lemieux?). Simple logic. He doesn't seem to understand it though.

(Editor's note - Mario didn't lose it - his back lost it!!)

VI questions with Bill Fisher

Today we find out a little more about Bill Fisher - the opinionated author of many or the posts on this here website. VI questions with Bill ...

Full Name: William BilFish Fisher, bilfish.com, travelpete.com

CVI member since: I was there at the crowning moment, 2005. Like all live births, it was messy and probably only beautiful to the parents.

Originally From: Arizona, mostly, about to hit a decade here in the centennial state. Hope to die here if I'm lucky enough. A while from now if I'm even luckier.

Favorite Rapids Player: Joe "All Around Good Guy" Cannon. Duhhh. He is the definition of class on and off the field. Favorite current player? Beckerman has won my heart, which is impressive given how much I used to slam his crappy play back in 2004.

I. Tell us, before you post one of you entertaining entries - do you drink, smoke the wacky stuff, or are you just plain off your rocker?

I have kids. They drive me out of my mind. Escaping for 3-7 minutes in the world of writing dumb blog entries is how I cope with the "joys" of ownership.

Ultimately, my goal is always to post something that is just a bit more than just the raw news. Perhaps it's an offbeat analysis of the facts, or maybe just a silly picture. But the goal is always to help us soccer fans enjoy every day of the season.

II. It's time to tell the world - what is it you do to make a living? (I've been asking Bill this from the day I've known him)

You're asking the wrong question. The real question is, how am I so good at avoiding work? And whatever you do, don't ask my wife.

Ya know, I still don't understand why you're so focused on this. I mean, if I was a woman at home with two kids, everyone would give me props for taking care of our next generation, and nobody would suggest I should be hammering out widgets in the workforce. Why is it so surprising that an Internet entrepreneur who used to manage about 50 employees, work 125 hour weeks and travel 10,000 miles a month would just give it all up to hang out at home?
(editor's note: ahhh we get a little closer ... we're not falling for that sympathy/sexist angle either Fisher!)

III. I was there with you when we conceived Class VI - tell me what has surprised you most about Class VI?

I'm most surprised that Class VI exists in a perfect moment of friends and congeniality, almost exactly as we dreamed and hoped it could be. We desperately wanted to build good times with fellow fans, a tailgate we could be proud of, and hope that all of this developed organically with the help of everyone who was a member of the club.

We wanted people to feel included, to feel they could independently come up with great ideas for the club. And everyone does.

From killer shirts magically showing up at the tailgate to the famous jello shots and top-notch food (buffalo ribs, anyone?) Class VI is everything I wanted from my soccer viewing experience.

IV. Without regard to political affiliation - Hillary or Romney?

Hillary. It's time for a woman's touch on the white house. The guys haven't been doing so well lately. Besides, I hear Romney is a Fake Salt Lake fan. F!#$@ that!

V. You were a MAJOR Joe Cannon fan. It's getting close to the midway point in the MLS season. What's your evaluation of the Bazooka Joe for Herc/Ugo trade?

Apparently I'm relatively transparent in that regard :-)

First of all, I am STILL a major Cannon fan. I think in hindsight, everyone won. I was happy for Joe, because I think he deserved to get the big break, becoming the starting goalie for a major club, the kind of club that would ultimately allow him to play with guys like Landon and Beckham. I hope he does well... unfortunately, the Galaxy suck :-)

Further, the Rapids management treated Cannon with a complete lack of respect, and the move to LA will resolve much of the B.S. Cannon was forced to deal with. (see hints as to what was happening ).

Unfortunately, I hate training young defenders and goalkeepers. There are a couple of positions where I prefer experience. However, Ugo is looking like a better and better trade. He's got speed in spades, and is finally starting to settle in. Hercules is a nice kid, but I'm still not seeing killer instincts that provide an off-setting value for losing the league's best goalkeeper. We'll see if Hercules can ever get the confidence to start taking on defenders 1-on-1, which would make him a top-notch addition to the Rapids.

VI. Who should have to answer these torturous questions next?

It's got to be Mary Katherine! That picture you showed me ... man that simply MUST be put on the website!

Give a Hoot for the new Rapids Mascot!

We at Class VI HQ are not quite sure if this is a joke or not. The article from the Rapids website appears quasi-serious, and it's not April Fool's Day.

Hooter's(tm) tapped to sponsor new Rapids Mascot

For all of you (ahem, Pablo) who have whined that the Rapids focus their marketing too tightly on the kids and soccer moms, this mascot's for you!

At first I was aghast at this display, but now I feel a growing love inside for the cute little lass. Not that I'm into eagles, per se.

As Class VI members have known for a while, RapidMan has officially "been retired" as they say in New Jersey. Hopefully the forewarning makes the news that much more bearable.

Hmmmm, bearable. Do I smell another mascot coming soon?

Check out the Rocky Mountain Arsenal website to see what other possibilities are in store for mascots. And don't you dare call them buffalo! Check their photo gallery for more wildlife found on the world's largest urban wildlife refuge (around 300 species).

MLSnet pees in its pants

Yep!

Talk about excited. The folks over at MLSnet.com the official website for MLS, are as giddy as a schoolgirl about boy-band Beckham's arrival that they've actually put up a countdown timer to allow us to know when he hits our fair shores.

Like a sun coming out from behind the clouds, Beckham arrives.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge Beckham fan. Wore the t-shirt, took crap from England fans when they blamed him for last year's World Cup problems. Explained patiently to said blind English fans that Beckham was involved with every remotely interesting play last summer. Wiped beer off face.

BUT! I don't go around calibrating my watch based on his arrival time. For fuck's sake, people. Get a grip. Buy your ticket for the August 26th match and call it a day. Get an All-Star Game ticket just in case. (The latest word, from the Denver Post, is that Becks will be at the ASG, but will not play).

And now we've read ESPN is planning a "Beckham Cam" to follow his every million-dollar nose pick. That's just super!

Happy 4th?

Hopefully everyone had a fantastic 4th.

The fireworks were all up in the air and not on the field, but it appears the tailgate crowd was strong and the crowds in the stands were rockin'.

The Rapids website says, "Rapids earn draw on Independence Day." For once I would agree. Not a bad showing by the youngsters towards the end of the game, some great, exciting combinations in the last 10-15 minutes or so by Cummings, Colaluca, Peterson & Wasson.

I feel a bit sorry for Fernando in the accompanying picture to the article. I sense that he finally recognizes his three year plan failed. Don't sweat it, FC, we will always be happy to have you join us in Class VI.

Here's hoping the Red Bulls crash and burn!

So! After a very long midweek holiday, it's time to recuperate (s-l-o-w-l-y) at work today and think about a (suddenly) great weekend matchup against the interesting NY Pink Cows, now with Angel power!

Juan Pablo Angel is cleaning up the MLS Golden Boot table. He's tied with EJ, having scored 9 goals in 8 games. Can that be right? Woa.... the entire Rapids team has only scored 4 goals in the last 8 games! In fact, it's taken us the past 13 games to score more goals than Angel has done in just 8.

Wow. As a supporter of fun soccer with "goals" as I think they are called, I'm excited to see Juan Pablo Angel on the field.

Let's all give him a reaaallllly warm welcome!

Class VI tailgating starts at 4pm Sunday afternoon, with Fernando's last game as head coach for the Rapids starting at 6pm. Okay, I'm guessing on the time, but anyway...

Funniest line in a century...

When the Grand Poobah weighed in recently on BigSoccer on whether the All-Star game meant anything, he had this to opine:

"I'm excited - I haven't seen soccer in over a month!"

BAM! Take that, Emeril!

Heh. LOL. Funniest stuff I've heard since my previous life as a soccer ball in turn of the 19th Century London.

We're getting ready for the Grand Party on the 4th tomorrow to celebrate the birth of the nation we've all grown to know and love (tailgate starts at 4pm). To show solidarity, Class VI and the C-Firm will be getting together around 2 kegs.

Much as I suspect the Native Americans did in, uhhh, Pennsylvania or wherever the East Coast used to be in 1610.

It will be glorious. And then we get to decide which side was the Pilgrims. I think we all know how that story ended ;-)

Anyway, enough about me. Let's enjoy the 4th, think positive thoughts for the more than 150,000 American soldiers in harm's way and the millions of civilians living in war-torn countries around the world.

Let's enjoy a great tailgate and a good soccer game and look forward to the point of this blog post, the All-Star Game on the 19th.

Effective immediately

"The contract with Fernando Clavijo has been terminated, effective immediately. John Murphy will step in as interim head coach as an intensive search begins for a quality coach worthy of the Rapids fans...."

All this went through my head in the time it took to load the Rapids web page this morning. What I saw when I got there?!?

"Pablo to appear on Emeril tonight"

BAM!